✅ SOLVED U.S. Marshal Badge

[thrillathahunt]

I dug this "Deputy U.S. Marshal Western District of Texas" badge and need info about it. I can't seem to find one on the net exactly like it. It is heavy (41.6 grams) with no back markings. Any info on this would be appreciated.

 

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[doublet2a]

Nice find Rick.. Love it!!! My birthday was last week, but I'll take it late.
Still got my address

Tim

 

[thrillathahunt]

Hey Tim, long time no hear from. A belated happy birthday to you my friend! I know I got your address around here somewhere if I can just find it. lol. :>)

 

[thrillathahunt]

What I am particularly interested in concerning this badge is it's age. It doesn't look that old but not new either.

 

[stefen]

Kinda looks like the real thing and not a toy imitation...

Best guess, it appears possibly to be silver, with a chased design, and would guess early 20th century...Although, it's hard to tell if it's hand scribed or stamped...

A jeweler might be in a better position to give a better evaluation...

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

According to the diagram below, which was posted by Breezie here in the What-Is-It forum a few years ago, your badge's pin hinge and clasp indicate it is from the 1920s-&-later. At least that's what it looks like to me. I suggest you send her a T-Net PM for confirmation.

 

[thrillathahunt]

Thank you guys for your replies. My first impression of it was 1930's to 1950's maybe even a little later, but from what I could glean from the net, they changed the design on these in the 1980's.

 

[jewelerguy]

don't have any info to share, but that is cool

 

[Mr.T]

Very cool find- well done!

 

[AU Seeker]

According to this Official Government website, the style of the badge you found fits into the turn of the century time frame, only an earlier time frame shows another badge that is just in the star shape.


U.S. Marshals Service, History, U.S. Marshals Badges

Stylized badge worn about the turn of the century

 

[Subterranean]

Hello Thrill, Congrats on finding a badge! That is still on my short list too. In the 1980's and 1990's, an American company named Langenbacker and Sons made thousands of replica old-west badges and sold them to dealers world wide. Many were copies of originals, many were just plain "fantasy" badges. US Marshal badges and Texas agencies were some of their favorites. Research this information and make up your own mind as to the authenticity of the badge you unearthed. Happy hunting, Sub

 

[gunsil]

I think it's a modern die-stamped replica or fantasy badge. If it is real there should be positive ID available.

 

[AU Seeker]

I'm not so sure it a modern replica, according to the above linked US Marshals website before 1941....

U.S. Marshals Service, History, U.S. Marshals Badges

"Prior to 1941, there was no one national issue badge. They varied in content, size, and shape. U.S. Marshals for each district purchased their badges using their appropriated funding. "

So being that before 1941 the US Marshals themselves purchased their own badges there very well could be many without any ID/Makers, or metal type marks. IMHO

I think having custom made badge would've been common practice.

 

[gunsil]

I'm not so sure it a modern replica, according to the above linked US Marshals website before 1941....

U.S. Marshals Service, History, U.S. Marshals Badges

"Prior to 1941, there was no one national issue badge. They varied in content, size, and shape. U.S. Marshals for each district purchased their badges using their appropriated funding. "

So being that before 1941 the US Marshals themselves purchased their own badges there very well could be many without any ID/Makers, or metal type marks. IMHO

I think having custom made badge would've been common practice.

Nobody could afford to have a one-off die stamped badge made up and the OP badge is a die stamped item. Most all badges are die stamped with exception of very early ones hand pierced from silver dollars and silver pesos. Go to a die stamping company and ask them for a quote to make you a die stamp to your design. It is expensive!! Different districts purchased different badges pre 1941, but all in said district would be the same as the cost of making a bunch from one die stamp offsets the cost of the custom stamp.

 

[thrillathahunt]

I will add this observation concerning this item.

There are three small stars (one at the top and two on each sides at the bottom) that have tiny blue stones in them. This, added to the fact that it is a heavy piece, possibly silver and very ornately crafted, and added to the fact that I cannot find any other examples exactly like this, makes me question how and why this could be a modern reproduction.

 

[Subterranean]

Hi Thrill,

I would never detract from the fact that you digging a badge is rare and wonderful! Please note the similarity of the badge in the online auction listing below and the one you found. My goal in commenting is to help educate fellow TNetters on the fact that thousands of badges flooded the collecting market a few years back and were used by re-enactors, Single Action Shootists, etc... I would be proud to have a badge like yours in my collection too. Happy Hunting, Sub

Deputy U.S. Marshal Western District of Texas (Auction ID: 110739, End Time : Jul. 17, 2012 17:32:35) - My-Badge

 

[gunsil]

It isn't "crafted" it is die stamped which means it was punched out in a machine.

 

[AU Seeker]

Hi Thrill,

I would never detract from the fact that you digging a badge is rare and wonderful! Please note the similarity of the badge in the online auction listing below and the one you found. My goal in commenting is to help educate fellow TNetters on the fact that thousands of badges flooded the collecting market a few years back and were used by re-enactors, Single Action Shootists, etc... I would be proud to have a badge like yours in my collection too. Happy Hunting, Sub

Deputy U.S. Marshal Western District of Texas (Auction ID: 110739, End Time : Jul. 17, 2012 17:32:35) - My-Badge

Thanks for the link, that is almost an exact match for the one found by Thrillathahunt, though the photos at the link are not the best, I still see much finer details in Thrillathahunt's find.

Either his is a genuine badge and the repros like the one at the link are base on this badge or his find is a very fine repro.

I also agree it's a very nice piece for anyone's collection, real or repro.

Thrillathahunt if you get tired of it I'll babysit it in my collect!